Shocker: Cincinnati Bengals work out controversial player
By Jason Marcum
The Cincinnati Bengals need to sign a linebacker with just five on the active roster currently, and Vontaze Burfict suffered a lower leg injury yesterday that could keep him out for at least this week vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers. As it turns out, the Bengals are leaving no stone unturned as they examine any potential LB who could help the team:
Boley is a serviceable linebacker, but his background raises a number of red-flags. He spent the last four seasons with the New York Giants before battling an off-field legal matter this offseason, as he was involved in a child abuse investigation, which has led teams to shy away from him:
"According to a report early Thursday morning on TMZ.com, Boley, the former Giants linebacker was “secretly arrested” on Feb. 8 in Etowah County, Ala., where he pled guilty to child abuse as part of a plea agreement. He was then entered into a pre-trial diversion program, the report said, after which the charges would be dropped."
He was charged with child abuse in May, marking the second time in two years that he had received that specific charge.
While playing for the Atlanta Falcons in 2008, Boley also was arrested on domestic violence charges for allegedly beating his wife.